After hearing a meeting would be taking place of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) at the Grange Hotel St Paul's, the United Cabby's Group called upon its members to demonstrate their disapproval of being banned from Olympic Lanes in 2012.
In just a couple of hours, texts and tweets were sent out and hundreds of disgruntled Taxis Drivers from all the trade org's, resplendent in their multicoloured lanyards made their way to Godliman Street, virtually sealing the streets surrounding the Hotel. The whole area was completely paralysed.
It was pointed out to an official from the LOCOG, that the whole of London's iconic Taxi trade, feel they have been sold out by the ban. The Licensed Taxi Trade is the only form of the public transport system that is 100% wheelchair compatible and yet we have been completely sidelined by the committee.
The official pleaded that many of the delegates had to make their way to the airport to catch flights and that their arranged fleet of minicabs wouldn't be able to pick up.
Spokespersons from the UCG told hotel management about the new airport capped fares scheme but as the Hotel resits the necessity for a Licensed Taxi rank outside its entrance, its not really a workable option at this location.
As the first to arrive, I was able to observe the bias behaviour of the City of London Warden who seemed to be permanently hovering around the front of the Hotel. I watched as he allowed minicabs form an illegal rank on the single yellow line, but then made taxis pull away as soon as they had been paid off. Customers leaving the hotel were shown to the illegally parked minicabs by the link man who was heard to say, "Taxis are not allowed to pick up as there's no rank".
The demo was intended to make a point and not to inconvenience the public, so after 45 minutes the drivers dispersed and returned to work.
Now the Text Flash Mob System has been successful (footage was even shown on the BBC London News), it will definitely be utilised again... and again...
No doubt next months Badge (aka TfL Times) will carry another article from John Mason pointing out the error of our ways.
ReplyDeleteWell done all,I was picking the kids up and the chief could not cover me.
I notice the PHV's in the 'waiting area' or whatever Mr Mason wants to call them instaed of ranks.
As for the Badge?
Well done Jimmy, new on-line complaint system is a direct result of the Carry On Complaining Blogsite, FACT, utilised by readers of your blog and the forum over the passed few years.
ReplyDeleteAfter receiving bucket loads of complaints which go right to the person responsible, Mason is now trying to divert these emails straight into the waste bin with this new on-line facility.
This just goes to prove how successful Carry On Complaining was/is.
WELL DONE TtT.
Fancy Oddy's seat on the board of TfL Jim?
I know thousands of drivers who would vote for you!
Oh I forgot, its not a democratically elected post is it, its only given to arse-lickers
At long last there is a feel good factor in the London cab trade. Drivers are taking it upon themselves to get involved and fight for the future of our trade.
ReplyDeleteIt is finally getting through to members of other groups, especially members of the UTG, that they are led by inactive, complacent self ingratiating LTPH sycophants.
After reading the latest issue of the Badge that has been requisitioned by John Mason for TfL propaganda purposes. I am astounded at the content and Grant Davis's editorial. I am convinced now more than ever that Grant Davis is an IMBECILE !
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ReplyDeleteQuestions Grant Davis failed to ask Birmingham police:
ReplyDeletea. Are Birmingham police working to the same policing model that police and local authorities in London are working to ie; STaN and do they have or tolerate satellite offices ?
b. How do the West Midlands Police and local government agencies interpret Hackney carriage law when it comes to PH forming illegal ranks outside o pubs, bars and restaurants ?
c. Would, or do Birmingham's police adopt a blind eye policy to crime at any time ?
You can't possibly compare London's police to Birmingham's without ascertaining some basic facts.
Is this story in The Bodge a shoddy piece of amateur journalism ? Does Davis live on the same planet as the rest of us ?
Or, is Davis just a space cadet that has his nose and tongue so far up Mason's arse he daren't mention STaN ?
Grant aint thay supid club leaver!
ReplyDeleteIf he calls a proper AGM him and his cohaults will be deselectedGrant aint thay supid!
If he calls a proper AGM him and his cohaults will be deselected
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ReplyDelete........you can say that again!!!
ReplyDeleteDUMB AND DUMBER sorry but although you make some good points, your post goes too far!
ReplyDeleteTtT.
Ok TtT I understand. I'm just piss mad that I have been paying in good money to the LTDA. This is madness.
ReplyDeleteWell done the ucg you put the others to shame.
ReplyDeleteCancelling my LTDA membership tomorrow, can't wait to hear what Oddy has to say to me.